October Talk with Mike Jones

It’s October with darker nights, wetter colder weather and winter is on its way. Let’s take the temperature of our business community. Today we’re talking to Mike Jones, managing director of Just For Fun Holiday Club. Based at three primary schools in Swindon currently: Grange Juniors, Holy Cross and Goddard Park. During the school holidays the team supply childcare in the format of a holiday club. They provide a safe and fun environment for children between the ages of four to 13 to come and explore various team games, art and craft activities and child-led play

It’s October with darker nights, wetter colder weather and winter is on its way. Let’s take the temperature of our business community. Today we’re talking to Mike Jones, managing director of Just For Fun Holiday Club. Based at three primary schools in Swindon currently: Grange Juniors, Holy Cross and Goddard Park. During the school holidays the team supply childcare in the format of a holiday club. They provide a safe and fun environment for children between the ages of four to 13 to come and explore various team games, art and craft activities and child-led play. 

What’s coming up for your business in Q4? 
October half term and as you read this we’re just coming to the end of a club which has run from October 21 to 29th. 
 

This is a month for harvest and Halloween. Are either of these important for you in your business or organisation? 
As a child I loved Halloween and I really want the children to enjoy it like I used to. I mean my own children and any child. It means fun and laughter just before moving into the Christmas spirit. 

October represents several awareness months,  are any important to you and your business? 
For us it’s ADHD Awareness Month. With the increase in children diagnosed with ADHD we believe it is very important to introduce healthy food alternatives and information to the children so they make better food choices. We also are very passionate about the healthy active lifestyle and we love to get the children running around and playing. This can help children with a diagnosis around this condition. 

October 10 was World Mental Health Day – how important is this subject in your business and in your life? 
We are very proud to play a big part in the positive impact on children’s mental health. We achieve this through exercise, healthy eating, the fun we offer, by providing a safe environment for the children to flourish. Our clubs are often the first place many parents sent their children after lockdown, we helped them overcome many anxieties and brought back some normality to many. Good mental health is important for us every day. 

What practical activities do you participate in at home or at work to protect your mental health health?Football has always been my outlet however I have recently retired from it as a competitive sport. I have replaced football with Jujitsu which is a beautiful martial art that helps me offload any built up stress. So for me it’s all about sport and activity which support my positive mental health. 

Clocks go back this month – an extra hour in bed? How do you feel about the darker nights etc? 
If I am honest the extra hour will be nice but I am not a fan of winter. I spent five years as a teenager in Spain so I much prefer summer or should I say April/May when we seem to get our best weather! Yet I always look at the bright side of life and I will be enjoying some family movies snuggled up on the sofa with my three children and my wife.

Have you got any events planned you’d like to shout about – either that you are running or attending? 
We are re looking at our birthday party packages that we didn’t really get up and running due to Covid, so stay tuned by following us on Facebook or visiting our website. 

Have you got any services or special offers you’d like to mention? 
We continue to offer a 20% sibling discount to encourage families to work, play and exercise together. 

And finally: 

We would like to thank everyone who continues to support us, we appreciate you all and hope the children continue to enjoy their time with us.

Find out more at justforfunholidayclub.co.uk